ABSTRACT
In parasitic phase, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis presents characteristic features when examined in fresh preparations. Conidial ontogeny represents the basis for the modern concepts of classification of the fungi which have no known sexual reproduction. The introduction of new staining methods for fungi in tissues has permitted a better visualization of the parasitic forms of P. brasiliensis, including their micromorphology, mode of reproduction, and evolutionary cycle. For the study of the evolutionary cycle of P. brasiliensis in tissues, Bogliolo also recommended staining with ferric hematoxylin. The Filamentous-yeast-like conversion can be accelerated by certain substances at 37°C. The isolation of P. brasiliensis is relatively easy to accomplish when the inoculated material is not contaminated with bacteria. Several culture media containing antibacterial antibiotics or other drugs have been proposed for the isolation of P. brasiliensis from material contaminated with bacteria or yeasts, especially of the genus Candida.
